The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa Translated into English Prose: Vana Parva, Part 1
Religion
The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa Translated into English Prose: Vana Parva, Part 1
Epic literature, Sanskrit
Vaisampayana said, "The wielder of the Pinaka, having the bull for his
sign, thus disappeared in the very sight of the gazing son of Pandu,
like the sun setting in the sight of the world. Arjuna, that slayer of
hostile heroes, wondered much at this, saying, 'O, I have seen the great
god of gods. Fortunate, indeed I am, and much favoured, for I have both
beheld and touched with my hand the three-eyed Hara the wielder of the
Pinaka, in his boon-giving form. I shall win success. I am already
great. My enemies have already been vanquished by me. My purposes have
been already achieved.' And while the son of Pritha, endued with
immeasurable energy, was thinking thus, there came to that place Varuna
the god of waters, handsome and of the splendour of the _lapis lazuli_
accompanied by all kinds of aquatic creatures, and filling all the
points of the horizon with a blazing effulgence. And accompanied by
Rivers both male and female, and Nagas, and Daityas and Sadhyas and
inferior deities, Varuna, the controller and lord of all aquatic
creatures, arrived at that spot. There came also the lord Kuvera of body
resembling pure gold, seated on his car of great splendour, and
accompanied by numerous Yakshas. And the lord of treasures, possessed of
great beauty, came there to see Arjuna, illuminating the firmament with
his effulgence. And there came also Yama himself, of great beauty, the
powerful destroyer of all the worlds, accompanied by those lords of the
creation--the Pitris--both embodied and disembodied. And the god of
justice, of inconceivable soul, the son of Surya, the destroyer of all
creatures, with the mace in hand, came there on his car, illuminating
the three worlds with regions of the Guhyakas, the Gandharvas and the
Nagas, like a second Surya as he riseth at the end of the Yuga. Having
arrived there, they beheld, from the effulgent and variegated summits of
the great mountain, Arjuna engaged in ascetic austerities. And there
came in a moment the illustrious Sakra also, accompanied by his queen,
seated on the back of (the celestial elephant) Airavata, and surrounded
also by all the deities. And in consequence of the white umbrella being
held over his head, he looked like the moon amid fleecy clouds. And
eulogised by Gandharvas, and Rishis endued with wealth of asceticism,
the chief of the celestials alighted on a particular summit of the
mountain, like a second sun. Then Yama possessed of great intelligence,
and fully conversant with virtue, who had occupied a summit on the
south, in a voice deep as that of the clouds, said these auspicious
words, 'Arjuna, behold us, the protectors of the worlds, arrive here! We
will grant thee (spiritual) vision, for thou deservest to behold us.
Thou wert in thy former life a Rishi of immeasurable soul, known as Nara
of great might. At the command, O child, of Brahma, thou hast been born
among men! O sinless one, by thee shall be vanquished in battle the
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account